The panel “From Green Ambition to Green Delivery: Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Climate Action,” brought together senior public officials, sector representatives, and emerging public sector professionals to discuss what it took to turn green transition ambitions into practical delivery. Drawing on our Greening Human Capital of Public Institutions in the Western Balkans project, implemented by CEF with the support of the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning and the Climate Change Fund of Slovenia, and the EU-funded "WeLead: EU Scheme for Young Professionals in the Western Balkans" (WeLead) project, the discussion explored the leadership, institutional capacities, and coordination mechanisms needed to advance climate and energy priorities.

Three WeLead alumni shared practical perspectives from their institutions. Aurora Popova from the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Kosovo presented a case of moving from pilot initiatives to systemic policy frameworks, focusing on energy retrofitting of buildings. Ester Beqiraj from the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Albania highlighted the importance of strengthening internal capacity within ministries of finance to address climate action and sustainability. Aleksandra Jugović from the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina discussed the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into institutional operations and business processes. The panel was moderated by David Klepej, CEF, and Merdža Handalić Plahonjić, CEF Associate Fellow. The alumni contributions were followed by reflections from Vedran Lakić, Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armin Hodžić, Director of the Energy Sector at the Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Goran Valka, Operator for Renewable Sources and Efficient Cogeneration of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The discussion focused on three interconnected areas: the role and results of institutions in advancing the green transition; priorities for the next five to ten years and the financing and investment models needed to support them, including considerations for a just transition; and the internal barriers to progress, including the need to better align leadership, institutional expertise, and cooperation with business and financial actors. A key message was that green delivery required more than policy commitments and financing. Public institutions also needed the people, skills, leadership, coordination mechanisms, and implementation capacity to design, finance, monitor, and deliver green reforms and investments. The exchange also highlighted the importance of moving beyond individual initiatives towards systemic approaches supported by clear mandates, strategic planning, and cooperation across government, business, finance, and the energy sector.

The CEF also took part in the panel “How can the Decarbonization of Western Balkan Economies be Accelerated under Carbon Pricing?”, organized by the EU4Energy project.  Ivana Nedižavec Korada, CEF Deputy Director, joined representatives of the European and regional institutions, financial organizations, energy companies, and the private sector in discussing the economic and investment dimensions of decarbonization. The discussion covered the implications of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and emissions trading systems (ETS), as well as ways to mobilize international finance, support businesses in the transition to cleaner technologies, develop green technologies in mining regions, strengthen regional electricity markets, and ensure a just transition for communities affected by the phase-out of coal. Panelists agreed that decarbonization is no longer only a climate issue. It is increasingly a question of competitiveness, investment and access to the European market.

A key conclusion of the panel was the need to introduce a gradual carbon-pricing mechanism with free emission allowances, allowing companies time to adapt to the new regulatory and market environment. The proposed approach would see the carbon price increase progressively, with the objective of reaching a level aligned with the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) by 2035.

Our participation at SECW 2026 highlights the importance of connecting institutional capacity with policy implementation, financing, and cooperation across sectors. It also provided an opportunity to bring the experience and perspectives developed through our regional programs into a broader discussion on the practical delivery of the green transition in the Western Balkans.